Looking for External HDTV OTA Tuner

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Gawd
Joined
Mar 15, 2002
Messages
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Okay, so I recently purchased a 2405fp (awesome), and I'm heading back to college at the end of the month. I want the monitor to double up as an HDTV, so I need an OTA tuner since I can't get HDTV in the dorms through cable. My options are limited for a few reasons. First of all, I have a shuttle that only has one PCI slot, which I have my soundcard in. I could use onboard sound if absolutely necessary, but I would prefer not too at least for the time being. The option I need is that I want to be able to get the analog cable channels as well since my school does offer around 40 for free including the absolutely necessary ESPN.

I have two options. I could get an external HDTV tuner that is designed for computer usage through USB such as the Sasem HDTV tuner which costs ~250 (http://www.copperbox.com/lite/sasem.php), however I'm not positive if that will display standard analog cable or not as well. Moreover, I'd be viewing it in windows through my DVI connection to my video card.

The other option would be to purchase a standard external HDTV tuner for regular TVs. I could plug this into my screen using the component cables, or even through my video card into the computer as well (for sound reasons). I'll have to check when I get home, but I do believe my vid card has VIVO, and if I'm correct that should allow me to attach component into the vid card, and then display that through windows again if I'm correct. Moreover, I think it should be easy to find an external tuner that supports HDTV OTA as well as analog cable.

I'm really a newb when it comes to all this TV stuff, since I never watch much anyways besides sports (Go Cubs!). However, it would be nice to get some OTA sports action for major sporting events on the main ota channels. Any and all suggestions would be welcome!
 
i know there is the HDTV Wonder by ATI, which is an addin HDTV Tuner card

but i have never used any of hte ATI Tuners before..

i have an extra 19" LCD that i am thinking of just getting a VGA Tuner box for it..

something like http://www.highway.net.au/parts/converters/2004.html (although this one is a bit pricey)..

my requirement for HD is more that i just want component inputs on the VGA Tuner board instead of the actual HDTV Tuner
 
I could plug this into my screen using the component cables, or even through my video card into the computer as well
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They don't make consumer level component input cards for that and no your VIVO doesn't support this function.

The Sesam does indeed do SD analog tuning, I would probably pick it up in your situation.
 
Thanks for the quick responses, good to know about the component level stuff. Anyone else have any suggestions?
 
You could also get an ATi HDTV wonder PCI card. It has HDTV and SD tuner on it. Then you'd have to get an external sound card like the Audigy 2 NX. It would cost about the same ~$250.
 
weebling1 said:
: /
your suggesting he spend the same money AND throw out his sound card?

there should be plenty of cheapish $200 HDTV OTA boxes these days, try Ebay too.


The Official AVS HDTV STB Synopsis - Winter 2005!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095

Are you close to the broadcast towers so you can get signal?
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Who said anything about throwing out his old sound card? I sure didn't. There are always extra computers or ebay for that.

Also, with a $200 STB you lose PVR functionality. If you are going to be watching on a computer screen anyway, for the same money he should definitely get a PC tuner.
 
you lose simplified PVR ability, but its can still be done if you have a firewire output
(and I have 24gig of HiDef Battlestar Galactica to prove it :) )
 
weebling1 said:
you lose simplified PVR ability, but its can still be done if you have a firewire output
(and I have 24gig of HiDef Battlestar Galactica to prove it :) )
Click to expand...
Meh. I like my idea or a USB tuner better than a STB. To each his own.
 
ya' use what ya' know, There wasnt a much for cheap HDTV cards a year and half ago when i got the TV (god#$% Samsung T-165 w/hardlocked firmware!, /me h8teses it)
'Course thats changing these days
 
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